3 to 10 December 2024 (8 days - 7 nights)
Detailed Itinerary & Golf Programme
Tour Cost from AUD 11,600/Couple (AUD 5,800 pp Twin Share)
You are invited to join Trendsetter Travel’s Kauri Cliffs/Bay of Islands golf tour which includes attendance in a 54 hole singles and pairs golf tournament at Kauri Cliffs and 3 nights luxury accommodation at Kauri Cliffs. Your tour hosts are David Cooper and Adrienne Witteman. Apart from playing 3 rounds at Kauri Cliffs, rated in the world’s top 100 courses, you will also get to enjoy 2 additional games of golf when based 4 nights in Paihia.
As a result of a new marketing initiative recently announced by Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers you can now play a complimentary 2nd round on any of the 3 days of our stay (including cart). This only applies to guests staying at the Farm at Kidnappers or the Lodge at Kauri Cliffs.
Kauri Cliffs is one of the most luxurious golf resorts in the world. Participating in this 54 hole golfing event is, by a large margin, the best value proposition when staying and playing at Kauri Cliffs during the high season. We are staying at Kauri Cliffs within 2 weeks of the longest day on 22 December – thus you will have daylight from 6 am to 8.30 pm. We are staying in the middle of the peak summer season but have been offered special discounted group pricing as Kauri Cliffs faces a traditional pre Xmas gap in their forward bookings over this weekend.
In Paihia, you will be booked 4 nights in the well-located Kingsgate Hotel. We have chosen as it is a short walk to the leading Paihia restaurants and the Russell ferry wharf. It represents the best alternative of all Paihia hotel/apartment options. You have a choice of a Junior Suite (we have a hold on all 12 of the 52 sqm Junior Suites) or large king bedded room (30 sqm). Our allocation of rooms excludes the lead in 28 sqm hotel rooms. All the Junior Suites are located at the front of the hotel and have stunning water views (the King bedded rooms while physically fine do not have a view other than of the car parking area of the hotel). We encourage you to extend your booking to a Junior Suite even though it costs an additional $800/room for the 4 nights.
While you are required to personally arrange your return flights into Kerikeri, we assume most will take connecting same day flights via Auckland. All subsequent ground transport will be by coach. We will advise recommended same-day flights/connections from Australia via Auckland once you are deposited on tour but not until flight schedules open in January 2024. However, the more relaxed approach is to arrive a day or two early and avoid a same day flight connection to Kerikeri. If required, Trendsetter Travel can assist with all flight bookings.
Ample golf carts should be available for all 5 golf rounds and are included in your tour cost.
We look to avoid being rushed at golf – intending to arrive between 45 minutes and 60 minutes before 1st tee off (in all situations we expect to organise multiple tee starts) and have time for a refreshing drink (complimentary other than at Kauri Cliffs) in the club rooms post golf. While you will participate in the Kauri Cliffs 54 hole golf tournament (with attractive prizes – including golf course vouchers for future games at either Kauri Cliffs or Cape Kidnappers), we will run competitions at the 2 golf courses played prior to Kauri Cliffs. We are staying in early December – when the average high temperature is around 20/21 degrees and average low is around 13/14 degrees. However, this is NZ and there is no guarantee of brilliant weather regardless of the time of the year.
Itinerary
Tuesday 3 December 2024
Fly to Auckland and connect with a flight to Kerikeri. The preferred connecting flight (which Cooper/Witteman are booked on) is the 4.10/5.00 pm Auckland to Kerikeri flight (50 minutes) – the flight is operated by Air NZ but there is a QF code share (QF 8525). There are direct morning flights to Auckland from all of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney which allow you to connect with this flight (Cooper/Witteman are booked on the QF 141 (SYD/AKL) 7.15 am/12.25 pm flight). Please allow sufficient connection time given you need to collect your bags, clear customs (flights often arrive late) and walk (or coach) from the international to domestic terminal. You can check-in your luggage for the domestic flight at the International terminal provided you do so at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time (ie before 3.10 pm). If flying same day from Australia, we recommend (to cover potential flight and international custom hall delays) your flight arrives in Auckland no later than 1.30 pm on 3 December 2024. We will organise a coach pick up at Kerikeri Airport for those on the 4.10/5.00 pm flight only. If arriving on other flights, it will be a 23 km (20 minute) transfer from Kerikeri Airport to Paihia. Some may choose to arrive a day or two early in Auckland and avoid the same day connection into Kerikeri.
We are booked in the well-located Kingsgate Hotel in either the 30 sqm King bedded rooms (with separate shower and bath but do not have a sea view) or the 52 sqm Junior Suites (which all have magnificent sea views plus are much larger than the alternative King room). We have an allocation of all the available Junior Suites which we believe represent excellent value. The hotel is located in the heart of Paihia and is only a 200 metre walk from the Paihia Pier where there are several nearby restaurants for independent dining on the other 3 nights of your stay in Paihia. This evening there will be tour welcome drinks and dinner at one of the leading restaurants in Paihia. You can book additional nights pre tour at the Kingsgate Hotel via Trendsetter Travel.
Accommodation (4 nights) – Kingsgate Millenium Hotel https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/bay-of-islands/kingsgate-hotel-autolodge-paihia/#home
Wednesday 4 December 2024
Following a leisurely breakfast, we depart by coach for our game at the scenic Waitangi Golf Course, a short 5 minute drive from our hotel. This is the 1st of two rounds that we will play on the Waitangi Golf Course. We have secured 2 tee starts both days from 9.30 am. We have chosen to play the course twice as we have been granted enough motorised carts for all our golf group and a two tee start – conditions not possible at any of the other golf courses within an acceptable drive of Paihia. The back nine of the course presents some magnificent views.
This evening there will be independent dining – there are a range of nearby restaurants within an easy walk of the Kingsgate Hotel (the Kingsgate hotel also offers daily dinner in its restaurant).
Thursday 5 December 2024
Following breakfast, we depart by coach and play Watangi Golf Club for our 2nd game.
This evening there will again be independent dining.
Friday 6 December 2024
We have a non-golf day. After a leisurely breakfast, late morning we will travel by return ferry from Paihia to historic Russell for some free time and lunch at one of the leading restaurants in Russell. Ferry transfer, lunch and drinks will be included as part of the tour. Ferries run in each direction every 30 minutes with the scenic crossing from Paihia to Russell taking 15 minutes.
Independent dining this evening
Saturday 7 December 2024
In order to maximise our time at Kauri Cliffs, our coach will leave at 7.45 am (with an early breakfast scheduled from 6.30 am) for the approximate 45 minute drive to Kauri Cliffs, where we have either a 2 tee or shot gun tee start from 9.30 am for the 1st round of our Kauri Cliffs tournament. After golf, check into your luxurious rooms at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs. Unlike Cape Kidnappers, the golf course pro shop is part of the main lodge and there is no need to transfer from the lodge to the golf course. In our view, the Kauri Cliffs golf course is even more scenic than Cape Kidnappers with stunning water views across the many off-shore islands.
Our tour price includes the 3 day/3 night Kauri Cliffs stay comprising 3 rounds of tournament golf, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day and a cocktail hour or so pre dinner each evening. In addition, there is a complimentary mini bar (includes local beers and soft drinks and possibly some complimentary wine).
As you will be a Virtuoso booking, you will also be entitled to a US$100 (NZD equivalent) resort credit which can be used in the pro shop, spa or to purchase drinks over dinner or lunch. There will be room upgrades subject to availability. Our bookings will be in the Suites (56 sqm) and upgrades would be to the Deluxe Suites (70 sqm). Irrespective, the standard Suites are large and luxurious and some 20% larger than the equivalent accommodation at Cape Kidnappers. As a result of a new marketing initiative by Kauri Cliffs, all our group are entitled to play a 2nd round of golf (including cart) on each of the 3 days for no additional charge. You can comfortably play the 2nd round as it will be light until around 8.30 pm. A 2 ball with cart can play a round at Kauri Cliffs in approximately 3 hours.
Accommodation (3 Nights) – Kauri Cliffs – www.robertsonlodges.com/the-lodges/kauri-cliffs
Sunday 8 December 2024
After a relaxing breakfast, there is an expected 9.30 am two tee start for the 2nd round of the Tournament (exact times will be advised the previous evening). You should have a few hours free time between the conclusion of your round and drinks from 6.00 pm.
Monday 9 December 2024
Today is the 3rd round of the Tournament with another 2 tee start from 9.30 am followed by lunch in the golf club rooms. This will allow a few hours free time at the resort post lunch and before pre-dinner drinks. At dinner, prizes for the 54 hole event (including for the individual golf rounds) will be awarded – the major prize winners are expected to receive between 2 and 4 golf games at either Cape Kidnappers or Kauri Cliffs including golf carts. Minor prize winners will receive pro shop vouchers.
Tuesday 10 December 2024
We will have a relaxing morning and depart Kauri Cliffs around 10.30 am via a coach transfer to Kerikeri airport to connect with the 12.15 pm Kerikeri/Auckland flight – from which you will connect with your flight to your preferred city of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. There will be time this morning for those with pro shop vouchers to spend while still at Kauri Cliffs.
Costings
What is Included and Payment Terms
Tour includes your Kauri Cliffs 3 day/3 night package, 4 additional hotel nights (including breakfast) in Paihia, welcome drinks/dinner at a restaurant in Paihia, a day trip to Russell including lunch, all coach transfers as stated, all green fees (including motorised carts), drinks post golf (other than at Kauri Cliffs), prize money as stated and all gratuities.
Costings do not include your return flights to NZ and evening dinners (although dinners are included the 3 nights at Kauri Cliffs and for the welcome evening dinner in Paihia).
Payment terms are in AUD and are as follows:
- Total Price Payable: A$11,600/couple/pair – 30 sqm King Bed Room in Paihia
- Total Price Payable with Suite Upgrade: AUD 12,400/couple/pair – 52 sqm Suite including sea view room in Paihia
- A$4,000/couple/pair payable at the time of booking with the balance of either A$7,600 or A$8,400/couple/pair due 4 months prior to departure on 3 August 2024
- Payment is via bank transfer to Trendsetter Travel into the following account:
Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre Pty Ltd
ANZ Bank – Client Account
Account Number 012 003 8334 12763
Alternatively, you can pay by credit card (surcharges apply of 1.0% on Visa/MC and 2.0% on AMEX).
Cancellation Policy/Charges (approximate Trendsetter’s Kauri Cliffs group booking terms)
- Full refund of deposit outside of 150 days from tour commencement less a $1,750 administration fee which can be used as a credit on a future Trendsetter golf tour. No refund of deposit between 120 and 150 days
- 120 – 91 days – full refund less 25% penalty
- 90 – 75 days – full refund less 50% penalty
- Inside 75 days – no refund
Special Covid 19 condition:
Should travel restrictions be enacted by the New Zealand or Australian Government in relation to Covid-19 containment efforts, either regional or international, and that prevent the guests reasonable arrival to Cape Kidnappers, necessary cancellations will result in no penalty provided it is received by the property 45 days prior to arrival. Deposits paid will be refundable. Should New Zealand or Australian Government restrictions occur within 45 days or the scheduled arrival, the full value of deposits paid will be available as credit to be applied towards rescheduled dates within 12 months.
For further information, please contact David Cooper by either email david@trendsettertravel.com.au or on mobile 0413 010 638.
